Support fixture



Sept. 17, 1968 L. KALAHAR SUPPORT F IXTURE Filed Dec. 30, 1966 United States Patent O 3,401,909 SUPPORT FIXTURE Thomas L. Kalahar, Park Ridge, Ill. Perfix Manufactui'ing Co., 10363 Franklin Ave., Franklin Park, Ill. 6013 Filed Dec. 30, 1966, Ser. No. 606,289 15 Claims. (Cl. 248-225) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A supporting fixture adapted to be mounted in either a standard one quarter inch perforated board or a standard one eighth inch perforated board including an article supporting member having two rearwardly extending projections, one of which is arranged to snugly engage the lower surface of the perforations in either the one eighth inch or one quarter inch boards, and the other of which is constnucted to fit in either the one eighth inch or one quarter inch board perforations and having an upper surface shaped such that it engages the rear upper edge of the associated perforation in both the one eighth inch and one quarter inch boards forcing the one projection against one side of the perforations in either the one eighth inch or one quarter inch boards.

This invention relates generally to support fixtures, and more particularly to a supporting fixture adapted to be mounted on a perforated board.

Perforated fiber board is used extensively to store and display various articles. For this purpose, various supporting fixtures have been provided in the past which fit within the perforations in the board and have a projecting hook or bracket upon which the article is supported. To properly support the article it is important that the fixtures themselves be securely mounted to the perforated board.

These prior fixtures generally have one or more projections which extend into the perforations in the board and have upturned portions to maintain them there. Standard perforated fiber board is manufactured in both one quarter inch and one eighth inch sizes. While the perforations or holes are the same distance from one another in both standard designs, i.e., one inch, the holes in the one quarter incth board are nominally one quarter inch (actually inch) while the holes in the one inch board are normally one eighth inch (actually 7 inch). The differences in these standard boards have created diflicult problems in the design of a suitable support fixture. Certain prior Supporting fixtures of this type have been devised which will securely lock in the one eighth inch board, while certain other fixtures have been devised which will securely lock in the one quarter inch board. Still another prior supporting fixture has been provided which fits both the one quarter inch and one eighth inch board. This latter construction fits loosely in both boards and therefore provides a poor support.

As described in my application Ser. No. 499,852, filed Oct. 21, 1965, and now Patent No. 3,289,991, a supporting fixture is provided which not only fits in both the one quarter inch and one eighth inch boards but which securely locks in each. However, in order to securely lock in the one quarter inch board, it is necessary in my prior fixture to provide an adapter which effectively increases the size of one of the projections. These supporting hooks, therefore, necessitate an expense in manufacturing an additional adapter as well as require further manipulation when installing the hook in a one quarter inch board where the adapter is necessary.

While the supporting hook fixture described in my copending application has been found suitable in many ap- "Ice plications, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved article supporting fixture which requires no additonal parts to be fitted and locked in both the one quarter inch and one eighth inch boards.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved article supporting fixture of the type described above which has two rearwardly extending projections, one of which is straight and arranged to snugly engage the lower surface of the perforations in either the one eighth inch or one quarter inch boards, and the other projection of which is constructed to fit in either the one eighth inch or one quarter inch boards having an upper surface shaped that it engages the rear upper edge of the associated perforations in both the one eighth inch and one quarter inch boards forcing the other projection against one side of both the perforations in the one eighth inch and one quarter inch boards thereby eliminating the necessity for any additional parts to lock in both size boards.

Other objects and advantages become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the present article supporting fixture with the more important dimensions thereon;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the present article supporting fixture shown mounted in a one eighth inch board;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the present article supporting fixture shown mounted in a one quarter inch board;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the present article supporting fixture illustrating its relationship with the perforations in both the one eighth inch and one quarter inch boards; and

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a somewhat modified form of the present invention illustrating its relationship with the perforations in both the one eighth inch and one quarter inch boards.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many dilferent forms, there is shown in the drawing and will herein be described in detail embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplifications of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings and specifically FIG. 1, an article supporting fixture 10 is seen to consist generally of a wire 12 with a hook shaped article supporting portion 14, and upwardly extending straight portion 15 and an upper projection 16, and a projection or stud 17 fixed to and extending from the lower end of the straight portion 15.

The wire 12 is preferably round wire having a diameter of 0.148 inch. The projection 17 is preferably a round wire stud having a diameter of 0.178 inch slightly less than the actual diameter 7 inch) of the perforations in standard one eighth inch perforated boards and about 0.30 inch in length. The upper projection 16 is formed integrally with the wire 12 and extends in a plane which contains both the axis of projection 17 and the article supporting hook portion 14. As will appear more clearly hereinafter, the projection 16 is arcuate in shape defined on an arc having a radius of 2.14 inches and a center located 2.56 inches above the center line of the projection 17 and 1.28 inches from a line defined by the rear edge of straight portion 15. The curvature of projection 16 is not sharp and the projection generally defines an angle of 45 degrees with the straight portion 15 of the support fixture.

It should be understood that the dimensions given in FIG. 1 are only exemplary for one acceptable construction and that variations in these dimensions may be possible to provide a more desirable fit. Further, the dimensions given are those for a support hook usable with oneeighth inch and one-quarter inch boardand it should be understood that the principle of the present invention may be applied to any other two sized boards if similarly proportioned.

Found on the lower surface of the upper projection 16 is a semicylindrical surface 22 which extends generally parallel to the lower projection or stud 17 and the lowermost part of this surface 22 is 1.015 inches from the lowermost edge of the lower projection 17, although this dimension may vary several thousandths of an inch and still provide acceptable locking action for the fixture.

Referring now to FIG. 2 for a description of the manner of insertion and locking in a one-eighth inch board 25, perforations 26 and end 27 are inch in diameter on centers one inch apart. Preparatory to inserting the fixture in the oneeighth board, it is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 2 and the projection 16 v is inserted into the perforation 26. To permit this insertion with the size wire described with respect to FIG. 1, it is desirable to provide a relieved flat portion 28 on the upper surface of projection 16 extending rearwardly from the straight portion for about 0.240 inch with a depth of approximately 0.028 inch. The relieved portion prevents the upper part of the projection 16 from interfering with the upper edge of a hole 26 during this initial insertion of the projection 16. Subsequent to the insertion of the projection 16, the entire fixture is rotated clockwise about perforation 26, inserting the lower projection or stud 17 into perforation 27.

As the fixture 10 is rotated downwardly inserting projection 17, the rear upper edge of the upper hole engages upper projection surface portion 32 and forces the entire fixture downwardly. Surface portion 32 is spaced with respect to cylindrical engaging portion 22 on the lower part of the projection 16 and the lower surface of projection 17, such that the two latter surfaces are urged into snug engagement with the lower portions of perforations 26 and 27, respectively. To achieve this end, the surface portion 32 (as a result of its are radius and are center location) is spaced from the lowermost edge of projection 17 a distance somewhat greater than the sum of the distance between the perforations 27 and 26 (i.e., one inch) and the diameter of one of the one-eighth inch perforations (i.e., 7 inch). This spacing enables the surface 32 to 'bight somewhat in the rear upper edge of perforation 26 providing a sufficient force for forcing surface 22 and surface 35 on projection 17 into snug engagement with the lower portions of the apertures 26 and 27, respectively.

To provide a somewhat greater engaging force between the surface 35 on stud 17 and the perforation 27 than with surface 22 and perforation 26, the distance between the lowermost edge of the surface 22 and the lowermost edge of the projection 17 is somewhat greater than the distance between the bottoms of the perforations 26 and 27, i.e., one inch, which, of course, is the same as the center spac ing of the perforations. This results in a suflicient frictional force between the surface 35 and the lower part of perforation 27 to resist the counterclockwise movement exerted on the projection 16 by the perforation 26. If the hole centers are one inch then the distances between surfaces 22 and 35 are preferably 1.015 inches as shown in FIG. 1, but may extend to 1.019 inches and provide acceptable operation.

As shown in FIG. 3, the same supporting fixture 10 is insertable into a standard one-quarter inch perforated board and locks therein in a manner similar to that described with reference to a one-eighth inch board in FIG. 2. Standard commercially available perforated onequarter inch boards have perforations 41 and 42 of /1 inch diameter on centers of one inch. It should be noted that the perforations in the one-quarter inch 'board are on the same one inch centers as the perforations in the oneeighth inch board, and from this the edges of the perforations 41 and 42 are equidistantwith the corresponding portions in the edges of perforations 26 and 27. Thus, the lower edge 44 of the perforation 41 is one inch from the lower edge 46 of the lower perforation 42 so that the engaging surfaces 22 and 35 snugly, 'frictionally engage the lower portions of the holes 41 and 42, respectively, in the same manner as they did the lower portions of the perforations 26 and 27 in the one-eighth inch board. However, instead of engagement of the perforation with surface portion 32, the upper rear edge of the perforation 41 is engaged by surface portion 48 on projection 16 forcing surfaces 22 and 35 into tight engagement with the lower portions of the perforations 41 and 42.

Toward this end the surface portion 48 of projection 16 is located (due to the location of the center 20 of the arc defining the projection 16) a distance fromthe lowermost edge of the projection 17 slightly greater than the sum of the distance between the bottoms of perforations 41 and 42 (one inch) and the diameter of the perforations 41 and 42 (9 inch). As noted above, the distance between the lowermost edges of the surfaces 22 and 35 is slightly greater than the distance between the lowermost edges of the perforations in both the one-eighth inch and onequarter inch boards, so that in the one-quarter inch board 40 as well as the one-eighth inch board the surface 35 on projection 17 will engage the lower portion of perforation 42 with a somewhat greater force than the surface 22 engages the lower portion of perforation 41.

FIG. 4 illustrates the relationship of the fixture 10 with respect to both the one quarter inch board 40 and the one eighth inch board 25. Note that the lower projection 17 is almost centered in the one eighth inch board perforation (although actually there is some clearance around the upper portion of the perforation as the lower surface 35 is the perforation engaging surface) while stud 17 is considerably offset with respect to the center line of perforation 42. Furthermore, the projection 16 assumes the same relationship with the lowermost portions of the perforations 26 and 41 as surface 22 must engage the lower surfaces of both perforations.

As described above, one of the important features in locking the present hook in both boards is the downward force exerted on the entire support hook by the upper projection so that the lower projection 17 snugly and frictionally engages its associated perforation in each of the boards. In the modification shown in FIG. 5 this downward force may be increased by the provision of a bend 50 in the upper projection 16'. Bend 50 is located on projection 16' at the position of surface portion 48' which corresponds in location to surface 48 in FIGS. 1 to 4 in that it is the portion of the upper projection that engages the upper rear portion of the perforations in the one quarter inch board. The bend 50 may be formed by a suitable die applied from the rear of projection 16 in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4.

Bend 50 forms a surface 51 that is generally parallel with lower projection 17. It is this location and orientation of surface 51 that reduces the moment caused by the engagement of surface portion 48 with perforation 41 and increases the downward component of the force exerted by stud 17 on perforation 46' in the one quarter inch board.

The surface portion 32 on projection 16' is in the same location as surface portion 32 in the FIGS. 1 to 4 embodiment so that the supporting hook shown in FIG. 5 fits in the one eighth inch board in the same manner as the other embodiment.

It is apparent from the above description that applicant has provided a perforated board fixture which fits in either standard perforated board and locks in each in accordance with the objective stated hereinabove. The objective is satisfied basically in the utilization of the rear upper portion of the upper perforation in each of the boards as a biasing means for urging the entire fixture downwardly so that the lower projection and the lower surface 22 of the upper projection are urged into intimate frictional contact with the lower portions of their respective perforations, regardless of which size board is applied, so that the fixture is effectively locked.

I claim:

1. A supporting fixture adapted to be mounted in two different sized perforated boards, the larger board having a thickness of approximately one quarter inch and perforations of approximately one quarter inch and the smaller board having a thickness of approximately one eighth inch and perforations of approximately one eighth inch, with the perforations in one board being spaced substantially equal to the perforations in the other board, comprising: an article supporting member, a projection extending from said member and adapted to be mounted substantially centrally in one of the small perforations of the smaller board and to be mounted offset in one of the large perforations of the larger board, and a second projection extending from said supporting member adapted to be fitted within either a small perforation in the smaller board or a larger perforation in the larger board, said second projection having a first portion engageable with the side of one of the smaller board perforations and spaced from said first projection a distance to force said first projection against the side of the associated small perforation in the smaller board, said second projection engageable with the side of one of the larger board perforations and spaced from said first projection a distance to force the first projection against the side of the associated large perforation in the larger board, whereby the fixture fits and locks in both the smaller and larger boards.

2. A supporting fixture adapted to be mounted in two different sized perforated boards, the larger board having a thickness of approximately one quarter inch and perforations of approximately one quarter inch and the smaller board having a thickness of approximately one eighth inch and perforations of approximately one eighth inch, with the perforations in one board being spaced substantially equal to the perforations in the other board, comprising: an article supporting member, a projection extending from said member and adapted to be mounted in either a small perforation in the smaller board or a large perforation in the larger board, and a second projection extending from said supporting member and adapted to be fitted in either a small perforation in the smaller board or in a large perforation in the larger board, said second projection being constructed to engage the side of the associated perforation in either the smaller or the larger board and to force the first projection into snug engagement with the side of the associated perfonation in either the larger or the smaller board.

3. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 2 wherein said first projection has a perforation engaging surface adapted to engage the associated perforation in either the smaller or the larger board, said engaging surface being disposed on the side of said first projection opposite said second projection, said second projection having first and second engaging surfaces for respectively engaging the associated perforation in the smaller and larger board, said first and second engaging surfaces being disposed on the side of said second projection opposite said first projection.

4. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 1 wherein said second projection is constructed from round wire, said second projection having a reduced portion on the side thereof opposite said first projection to permit insertion of the second projection in the smaller perforation.

5. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 1 wherein said second projection has a lower perforation engaging surface on the side thereof adjacent said first projection, said surface extending substantially parallel with said first projection and being adapted to engage one side of the perforations in the smaller and larger board.

6. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 5 wherein said first projection has a perforation engaging surface on the side thereof opposite said first projection, said first projection surface being spaced from said second projection surface a distance substantially equal to the spacing between the perforations whereby both surfaces functionally engage the associated perforations.

7. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 6 wherein said distance between the surfaces is slightly greater than the distance between the holes whereby the first projection surface will engage the associated perforation with a greater force than the second projection surface will engage its associated perforation.

-8. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 1 wherein said first projection has a perforation engaging surface on the side thereof opposite said second projection, said first portion of said second projection being spaced from said cfirst projection engaging surface a distance slightly greater than the sum of the space between the perforations and the diameter of the smaller perforations, said second portion of said second projection being spaced from said first projection engaging surface a distance slightly greater than the sum of the space between the perforations and the diameter of the larger perforations.

9. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 1 wherein said second projection is round wire of substantially 0.15 inch in diameter, said second projection being arcuate and lying on an are having a radius of approximately two inches.

10. A supporting fixture adapted to be mounted in two different sized boards, the larger board having a thickness of approximately one quarter inch and perforations of approximately one quarter inch and the smaller board having a thickness of approximately one eighth inch and perforations of approximately one eighth inch, with the perforations in both boards being spaced approximately one inch apart, comprising: an article supporting wire of approximately 0.15 inch in diameter having a vertical straight portion, a first wire projection extending perpendicularly from said straight portion, a second projection defined by a portion of the article supporting wire at the end of said straight portion, said second projection extending in the same direction as said first projection and positioned so that the edge thereof adjacent said straight portion is approximately 0.925 inch from the centerline of said first projection.

11. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 10 wherein the surface of the article supporting wire opposite said edge thereof is relieved to permit insertion in the smaller board, said second projection being arcuate and defined by an arc having a radius of approximately two inches and a center approximately 2.5 inches from the centerline of the first projection and 1.3 inches from a line defined by the edge of said straight portion.

12. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 2 wherein said second projection extends from said article supporting member at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

13. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 12 wherein said second portion of said second projection includes surface means generally parallel with said first projection to increase the holding force on said first projection.

14. A supporting fixture as defined in claim 13 wherein said first and second projections are wire, said second portion of said second projection being defined by a bend in the second projection.

15. A supporting fixture adapted to be mounted in two different size perforated boards, the larger board having a thickness approximately twice the thickness of the smaller board and perforations approximately twice the diameter of the perforations in the smaller board with the perforations in one board being spaced substantially equal to the perforations in the other board, comprising: an article supporting member, a projection extending from said member and adapted to be mounted in either a small perforation in the smaller board or a large perforation in the larger board, and a second projection extending from said supporting member and adapted to be fitted in either a small perforation in the smaller board or in a large perforation in the larger board, said second projection being constructed to engage the side of the associated perforation in either the smaller or the larger board and to force the first projection into snug engagement with the the smaller board.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Cardinal 248223 X Zimmer 248223 Terlinde 248223 Terlinde 1 248-225 Kalahar 248-225 ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

FRANK DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner. 

